India develops voluntary framework and guidelines for space cyber security

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in collaboration with SatCom Industry Association (SIA-India) has developed a comprehensive framework and guidelines for space cyber security for securing space communication assets and contributing towards the resilience of India's space ecosystem.

 “CERT-In remains steadfast in strengthening the cyber resilience of all sectors across Bharat. Recognizing the strategic importance of space systems, including satellite communication networks, to India’s technological sovereignty and future growth, these comprehensive guidelines establish a unified and forward-looking framework by considering defense in depth, breadth and height to safeguard satellite networks, ground infrastructure, space related supply chains and space assets against the rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape” Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In said.

Advisory in nature, the guidelines and are intended to advance cyber security preparedness across the space sector. The framework is meant to support the diverse stakeholders of the space ecosystem, including government agencies, satellite service providers, ground station operators, equipment vendors, and private space enterprises. By articulating essential cyber security principles, recommended controls, and clearly defined responsibilities, the guidelines are expected to foster a culture of resilience, accountability, and proactive risk management throughout the sector.

“Public Private Partnership and the considered views of industry are fundamental to strengthening cyber resilience across any sector. This joint guideline document issued by CERT-In and SIA India reflect a holistic and collaborative approach, integrating industry perspectives with the deep cyber security expertise of CERT-In. Together, they mark a significant step forward in advancing the cyber security posture of India’s space sector and reinforcing its preparedness against emerging digital threats” Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India, said.

 Space cyber security, including Satellite Communication systems, is of paramount importance to India’s space architecture. These systems serve as vital enablers of connectivity across remote and strategic regions, support national security operations, strengthen disaster response mechanisms, facilitate navigation and broadcasting services, and underpin a wide spectrum of economic activities essential to the nation’s growth and resilience.

“India’s expanding space ecosystem now requires cybersecurity to evolve from a technical afterthought into a core pillar of mission assurance. The joint framework developed with CERT-In institutionalizes resilience across satellites, ground infrastructure, and supply chains—particularly significant at a time when over 1.5 million cyberattack attempts were recorded during Operation Sindoor and attacks on government networks surged nearly sevenfold. In this evolving threat landscape, critical infrastructure and industry are equally vulnerable. Importantly, these cyber guidelines are based on an adaptive model and will be periodically refined through structured industry consultation to remain responsive to emerging threats and technological advancements. For industry, this is a clear call to adopt secure-by-design architectures and align innovation with national security imperatives”, Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India, said.

The guideline document was released during the DefSat Conference & Expo- 2026 held at New Delhi from 24-26 February 2026.